Car bomb attack kills five in east Syria: Watchdog

BEIRUT (AFP) - A car bomb attack in front of a church and close to a restaurant in the east Syria city of Deir Ezzor killed at least five people today, a watchdog said, while the regime blamed the blast on "terrorists".

The attack further eroded a ceasefire the main warring parties in Syria had agreed for the four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha that came into effect yesterday but was barely observed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the car bomb was near the Laylaty restaurant in Deir Ezzor, while state television said it caused damage to a Syriac church facade in the embattled city. It did not mention any casualties.

"Armed terrorist groups have again violated the truce, by setting off a car bomb blast in front of the Syriac church in Deir Ezzor, causing significant material damage to the church facade," the broadcaster said, using the regime's term for armed rebels.